Sangh to address Kumbh Mela crowd on civil code, population control

While the ban on slaughter of bullocks in Maharashtra has sparked off outrage, the clamor among Sangh Parivar organisations for a law to impose a nationwide curb on slaughter of cows and bulls is growing.

In the forthcoming Kumbh Mela, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is planning to approve resolutions for a uniform civil code, a law for population control, construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya and a nationwide ban on slaughter of cows, bulls and their progeny.

VHP all-India secretary professor Vyankatesh Abdeo told dna that a resolution demanding a countrywide beef ban would be made in the meeting of the organisation's 'margadarshak mandal', which consists of VHP leaders and select religious figures, on September 5 at Trimbakeshwar during the Kumbh Mela.

On the next day, this agenda would be discussed and ratified by Hindu seers in the 'sant sammelan' to be held at Nashik. The VHP is also slated to approve resolutions against regressive social practices, like untouchability, and is also seeking a law for the construction of a Ram temple.

"We are demanding a law to ban slaughter of cows and their progeny in the country. During the monsoon session of Parliament, we will meet MPs across party lines in this regard," said Abdeo. While speaking to dna earlier, senior Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) functionary Indresh Kumar, who is the chief margadarshak (guide) of the Sangh's Muslim Rashtriya Manch, had mooted a nationwide law to proscribe cow slaughter.

However, BJP national president Amit Shah had earlier ruled out a countrywide ban on beef, saying it was for the states to decide on it, while keeping in mind the sentiments of the people.

"Population control must be mandatory for all to tackle many problems before the country. However, while Hindus have accepted family planning, some other communities have not," said Abdeo. "Let those who oppose the welfare of the country be exposed."

"Since the uniform civil code will take some time, the policy on population control must be compulsorily made applicable for all (till this is done)," sought Abdeo.

Pointing to statements by BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj and other Hindu religious leaders, calling on Hindus to produce more children to counter the rise in Muslim population, Abdeo said that it would be incorrect for Hindus "turn the clock back" or give the issue a religious twist, but added that rise in population was creating an "imbalance".

The Kumbh Mela, which is being held in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar from July after a gap of 12 years, draws millions of devout from across the country, making it the ideal site for the Sangh to reach out to the masses and draw focus to its agenda.

Cow protection is an emotional and religious issue for the VHP and Sangh Parivar affiliates.

The ban on slaughter of bulls and bullocks in Maharashtra, which received presidential assent recently, has led to unease in stakeholders involved in slaughter and leather industries and consumers who eat beef as a cheap source of protein.

While the killing of cows and calves (male and female) was already banned under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976, the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 1995, approved during the tenure of the erstwhile Shiv Sena-BJP-led state government, had sought to extend it to bulls and bullocks. This ban on beef had led to protests from the meat and leather industry.

President Pranab Mukherjee granted his assent to the Bill, which has been pending since 1996. Offenders risk Rs10,000 as fine and five years in jail. However, the slaughter of buffaloes for carabeef is allowed.